Pernod Doesn’t Plan More U.S. Wine Purchases After Kenwood

A bar worker pours a glass of Ricard pastis, produced by Pernod-Ricard SA, in this arranged photograph at a bar near Archacon, France. Pernod Ricard SA doesn’t plan to acquire additional wineries in the U.S. following last week’s agreement to buy Kenwood Vineyards in California. Photographer: Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg

May 2 (Bloomberg) -- Pernod Ricard SA doesn’t plan to
acquire additional wineries in the U.S. following last week’s
agreement to buy Kenwood Vineyards in California.

The Australian newspaper said today the Paris-based company
would be interested in buying Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.’s U.S.
business, citing an interview with Jean-Christophe Coutures,
chief executive officer of Pernod Ricard Winemakers.

“We have not been in talks with Treasury Wine Estates or
looking to acquire any further wine assets in the U.S. market at
this time,” Coutures said in an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg
News following the newspaper report.

Treasury, owner of U.S. brands including Beringer and
Stags’ Leap, had earlier soared the most on record in Sydney
trading. The shares pared gains after Coutures’ statement and
closed 6.5 percent higher at A$4.09.